Amiibo is Nintendo's Skylanders-like Figurine Platform

First game to use it will be Super Smash Bros Wii U. later this holiday.

Today, Nintendo shared details on Amiibo, the official name for its figurine platform that was outlined not too long ago. It works similar to Skylanders or Disney Infinity in that you'll place a figure on the Wii U GamePad to interact with a game. The Wii U GamePad already has the tech needed for this so you won't need a portal.

By placing a figure on the GamePad, character data will be able to transmit to the game. It'll also work both ways meaning you can save data to the figure itself. Super Smash Bros. Wii U will be the first compatible title and will let figures level up as players use them in battle.